Science & Quantitative Reasoning

QR Courses

QR Courses without Prerequisite

The following introductory-level courses without prerequisites enable students to fulfill the skills requirement in quantitative reasoning (QR) through study in a wide range of quantitative disciplines. In addition, there are a multitude of QR courses with prerequisites (such as single-variable calculus, introductory computer programming, or introductory work in a natural or social science) that can be fulfilled through introductory-level course work or advanced placement. Students may view the complete list of QR courses or search for QR courses in specific departments using the OCI (Online Course Information) Web site.

Each student will wish to select courses that match his or her interests and level of preparation. Information about expected preparation is available through links following each course's brief description.

Course Number		Course Title and Description
Applied Mathematics
AMTH 110a		Introduction to Quantitative Thinking: The Pleasures of Counting Methods of quantitative inference and modeling are introduced via applications from a variety of different fields. Possible topics include data encryption, codes, scaling phenomena, traffic flow, warfare, and population growth. Some use of computing software such as Mathematica or MATLAB.
Astronomy
ASTR 110a		Planets and Stars An introduction to stars and planetary systems. Topics include the solar system and extrasolar planets, planet and stellar formation, and the evolution of stars from birth to death.
ASTR 120b		Galaxies and the Universe An introduction to stellar populations and the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy; external galaxies, radio galaxies, and quasars; cosmology and the expanding universe. Further Course Information and Preparation
ASTR 160b		Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics A detailed study of three fundamental areas in astrophysics that are currently subjects of intense research and debate: (1) planetary systems around stars other than the sun; (2) pulsars, black holes, and the relativistic effects associated with them; (3) the age and ultimate fate of the universe. Further Course Information and Preparation
ASTR 170a		Introduction to Cosmology An introduction to modern cosmological theories and observations. Topics include aspects of special and general relativity; curved space-time; the Big Bang; inflation; primordial element synthesis; the cosmic microwave background; the formation of galaxies; and large-scale structure. Further Course Information and Preparation
ASTR 220b		Galaxies and Cosmology An intensive introduction to extragalactic astronomy. The structure and contents of galaxies, evolution of galaxies, observational cosmology, and the history of the universe. Further Course Information and Preparation
Chemistry
CHEM 112a		Chemistry with Problem Solving For beginning students in chemistry or for those whose exposure to the subject has been moderate. Special emphasis on scientific problem-solving skills through an additional discussion section devoted to quantitative reasoning. Enrollment by placement only and limited to freshmen. For placement information see Chemistry pre-registration web page.
CHEM 114a		Comprehensive General Chemistry A comprehensive survey of modern descriptive, inorganic, and physical chemistry for students with a good secondary school exposure to general chemistry. Enrollment by placement only. For placement information see Chemistry pre-registration web page.
Computer Science
CPSC 101b		Great Ideas in Computer Science An introduction for nonmajors to some of the most important ideas in computer science: what the computer is; how it works; what it can do and what it cannot do, now and in the future. Topics include algorithms, elementary programming, hardware, language interpretation, software engineering, complexity, models of computation, and artificial intelligence. No previous programming experience required. Further Course Information and Preparation
CPSC 112a or b		Introduction to Programming Development on the computer of programming skills, problem-solving methods, and selected applications. Further Course Information and Preparation
CPSC 178a		Visualization: Data, Pixels, and Ideas Introduction to the use of computer graphics as a medium for communication and discovery. Topics include computer graphics primitives and their association with data, relationships, and concepts to generate an image; real-time interactions with images; and the application of visualization to a variety of application domains, from science and engineering to business and the arts. No previous experience with computers necessary. Further Course Information and Preparation
CPSC 179b		Digital Photorealism Examination of the basic methods used to define shapes, materials, and lighting when creating computer-generated images. Topics include the input and behavior of different classes of mathematical models for shape, such as meshes, splines, and implicit functions; texture models, such as noise and turbulence functions and sample-based techniques; and lighting techniques such as ray tracing, radiosity, and direct lighting. Principles are applied through the use of modeling/rendering/animation software systems rather than through computer programming. No programming or previous computer graphics experience is necessary.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
E&EB 210a		Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences (see STAT 101a)
Economics
ECON 108a or b		Quantitative Foundations of Microeconomics Introductory microeconomics with a special emphasis on quantitative methods and examples. Intended for students with limited or no prior exposure to calculus. Limited to freshmen. Permission of Economics DUS required. Further Course Information and Preparation
ECON 110a		Introduction to Economic Analysis: Microeconomics An introduction to microeconomics, taught as a lecture discussion, that is an alternative to ECON 115a or b. Limited to freshmen. Preregistration for ECON 110a is required by signing the preregistration sheet posted on the bulletin board at 28 Hillhouse Avenue on the first Monday before classes. Further Course Information and Preparation
ECON 115a or b		Introductory Economics: Microeconomics An introduction that stresses the basic tools of micro economics and the problem solving involved in policy issues. Further Course Information and Preparation
Electrical Engineering
EENG 201b		Introduction to Computer Engineering Introduction to the theoretical principles underlying the design and programming of simple processors that can perform algorithmic computational tasks. Topics include data representation in digital form, combinational logic design and Boolean algebra, sequential logic design and finite state machines, and basic computer architecture principles. Hands-on laboratory involving the active design, construction, and programming of a simple processor. Further Course Information and Preparation
Engineering and Applied Science
ENAS 110b		The Technological World An exploration of modern technologies that play a role in our everyday lives, including the underlying science, current applications, and future prospects. Examples include solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), computer displays, the global positioning system, fiber-optic communication systems, and the application of technological advances to medicine. Further Course Information and Preparation
ENAS 115b		Data Analysis and Forecasting Quantitative reasoning applied to modeling and interpretation of actual data. Concepts illustrated with models that exhibit constant, linear and asymptotic trends. Statistical measures predict accuracy of analytic results. Analysis ranges from paper-and-pencil and scientific calculator to Excel spreadsheets. Case studies include information transmission over the Internet and predicting Olympic event performance. Intended for students with limited or no prior exposure to calculus and statistics. Enrollment limited to freshmen and sophomores.
Environmental Studies
EVST 201a		Atmosphere, Ocean, and Environmental Change Physical and chemical processes that control the Earth's surface, atmosphere, ocean, and climate, and that influence human activities. Development of quantitative methods for constructing energy, water, soil, and chemical budgets. Topics include chemical composition of the Earth's crust, atmosphere, and ocean; climate and the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean; the history of the Earth's climate; global warming; energy and water resources; rivers and soil erosion; and mineral resources. Must be taken concurrently with EVST 202La.
Geology and Geophysics
G&G 120b		Earth’s Changing Climate Investigation of the science of contemporary climate change or "global warming." Historical and contemporary methods used by scientists to draw conclusions concerning Earth“s complex climate system and human influences on it. Further Course Information and Preparation
G&G 140a		Atmosphere, Ocean, and Environmental Change (see EVST 201a)
Linguistics
LING 141a		Language and Computation The computational study of natural language and the use of linguistic theories in applied problems. Topics include finite state tools, computational morphology and phonology, grammar and parsing, discourse models, machine translation, and language learning in children and machines.
Mathematics
MATH 101b		Geometry of Nature Geometric patterns in nature, including classical models of spirals in seashells and sunflowers, symmetry of honeycombs and snowflakes, and the curvature of soap films. In addition we shall explore the shape of the universe, ways to visualize the fourth dimension, and a brief glimpse of fractal geometry. Enrollment limited to freshmen and sophomores.
MATH 112a or b		Calculus of Functions of One Variable I Limits and their properties. Definitions and some techniques of differentiation and the evaluation of definite integrals, with applications. Graphical, symbolic, and numerical methods use the mathematical software package Mathematica. Further Course Information and Preparation
MATH 190a		Fractal Geometry A visual introduction to the geometry of fractals and the dynamics of chaos, accessible to students not majoring in science. Study of mathematical patterns repeating on many levels and expressions of these patterns in nature, art, music, and literature. Further Course Information and Preparation
Philosophy
PHIL 115a		First Order Logic An introduction to formal logic. Study of the formal deductive systems and semantics for both propositional and predicate logic. Some discussion of metatheory. Further Course Information and Preparation
Physics
PHYS 110b		Developments in Modern Physics An introduction to modern physics and quantitative reasoning. Topics include subatomic particles, electromagnetic waves, black holes, galaxies, and the fate of the universe. Study of the stages of descriptive modeling, with examples ranging from Newtonian physics to Einstein's theory of relativity.
PHYS 150a		General Physics An introduction to classical physics and to selected topics in modern physics. Emphasis on fundamental principles, with examples of practical applications to medicine and other fields. PHYS 150a covers mechanics, thermodynamics, and wave motion. Further Course Information and Preparation
Political Science
PLSC 452a		Introduction to Statistics: Political Science (see STAT 102a)
PLSC 453a		Introduction to Statistics: Social Sciences (see STAT 103a)
Psychology
PSYC 129a		Statistics as a Way of Knowing An introduction to basic concepts of statistics and probability that allow us to describe, evaluate, and understand aspects of the world and make informed choices. Exploration of relationships among statistical reasoning, cognitive psychology, and philosophical theories of knowledge. Enrollment limited to freshmen and sophomores.
PSYC 200b		Statistics Measures of central tendency, variability, association, and the application of probability concepts in determining the significance of research findings.
Quantitative Reasoning
QUAN 199a		Quantitative Methods across the Disciplines Quantitative methods used to address a series of issues across the disciplines. Problems taken from astronomy, biology, economics, history, and political science. Intended for students with some background in college-level quantitative reasoning who do not expect to major in a quantitative discipline. Enrollment limited to freshmen and sophomores.
Statistics
STAT 100b		Introductory Statistics An introduction to statistical reasoning. Topics include numerical and graphical summaries of data, data acquisition and experimental design, probability, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlation and regression. Application of statistical concepts to data; analysis of real-world problems. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 101a		Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences Statistical and probabilistic analysis of biological problems presented with a unified foundation in basic statistical theory. Problems are drawn from genetics, ecology, epidemiology, and bioinformatics. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 102a		Introduction to Statistics: Political Science Statistical analysis of politics, elections, and political psychology. Problems presented with reference to a wide array of examples: public opinion, campaign finance, racially motivated crime, and public policy. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 103a		Introduction to Statistics: Social Sciences Descriptive and inferential statistics applied to analysis of data from the social sciences. Introduction of concepts and skills for understanding and conducting quantitative research. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 105a		Introduction to Statistics: Medicine Statistical methods relied upon in medicine and medical research. Practice in reading medical literature competently and critically, as well as practical experience performing statistical analysis of medical data. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 106a		Introduction to Statistics: Data Analysis An introduction to probability and statistics with emphasis on data analysis. Further Course Information and Preparation
STAT 128b		Real-World Statistics Quantitative exploration of real-world problems through analysis of data. Topics include nationalistic biases in Olympic judging of diving and gymnastics; property tax assessments in New Haven; the role of the random selection of judges in international figure skating competitions; the 2006 stock option backdating scandal; and the study of bias in the jury selection process of Connecticut's Federal Court.
STAT 129a		Statistics as a Way of Knowing (see PSYC 129a)